Yves Duteil is a french singer and songwriter. He was born in Paris, in Jul… Read Full Bio ↴Yves Duteil is a french singer and songwriter. He was born in Paris, in July 24, 1949 and is the third child to be born in the family.

In 1972, Yves Duteil had first minor hit with a song called "Virages" (English: "Turns"). Included on his 1974 debut album L'Écritoire, it shares fame with such songs as the title track and from his next album, "J'attends" (1976), "Tisserand", "Les Batignolles" (an area of Paris), etc.

His 1977 album "Tarentelle" which will become his most classic, including not only his most famous song ("Prendre Un Enfant") but also such songs as the title track, "Le Petit Pont de Bois", "Le Mur De La Prison D'En Face" which have all become classicss.

In 2001, Duteil released "Sans Attendre", more introspective than ever and with much modesty, he tackles some aspects of his life in a way that can bring a deep sight on life, understood in the light of spiritual love. In a simple way, he sings about friendship in tough times ("Les Gestes Délicats"), compassion for a father who never showed him that much affection, which never prevents Duteil to answer with love and sings all the kind words he found to his father, no matter what his childhood was like ("Lettre À Mon Père"). And probably the most touching song: "Pour Que Tu Ne Meures Pas", which deals with Yves Duteil's wife's disease.

J'ai Caché Ton Mouchoir
Yves Duteil Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai caché ton mouchoir.
Je te dirai où, plus tard.
J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai caché ton mouchoir.
Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.
Comme il faut tout prévoir, j'ai cassé ton miroir.
Tu peux pas non plus te voir.
J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai cassé ton miroir.
Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.

Chaque fois que l'on se quitte pour quelques jours ou quelques heures
J'essaie de partir très vite, vite, mais chaque fois, toi, tu pleures
Du bout du cœur.

J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai caché ton mouchoir.
Je te dirai où, plus tard.
J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai caché ton mouchoir.
Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.

Tes larmes font des rigoles et ton rimmel est un limon
Qui s'écoule et qui se colle, colle, mais c'est pas beau, c'est pas beau
Ni beau ni bon.

J'ai caché ton mouchoir, attention à ton fard, tu serais pas belle à voir.
J'ai caché ton mouchoir, cache aussi ton cafard.
Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.
Cache aussi ton cafard pour me dire au revoir
Puisque je m'en vais ce soir.
Et jusqu'à mon départ, j'ai caché ton mouchoir

Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir, tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.
Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir, tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.

Overall Meaning

In Yves Duteil's song "J'ai Caché Ton Mouchoir," which translates to "I Hid Your Handkerchief," the singer talks about his desire to leave quickly whenever he and his loved one separate for a few days or hours. He describes how he has hidden her handkerchief, which she will need when she inevitably sheds tears upon his departure. He has also broken her mirror, so she cannot see herself and be reminded of him.

He sings about how she cries every time they part, and he wishes to avoid seeing her tears, which flow like streams, and her mascara smudged by crying. He advises her to hide her sorrow and put on a brave face, not only because he doesn't want to see her cry but also because he doesn't want to leave with the image of her sadness ingrained in his mind. He urges her to hide her sorrows when he leaves and promises to reveal the location of her handkerchief later.

The song's overall theme is the pain that comes with separation and the effort it takes to hide one's emotions to avoid making things harder for the other person. It also highlights the desire to keep a positive image of the person in mind and avoid heartache by hiding feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

J'ai caché ton mouchoir, j'ai caché ton mouchoir.
I have hidden your handkerchief, I have hidden your handkerchief.

Je te dirai où, plus tard.
I will tell you where, later.

Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.
You can't cry tonight.

Comme il faut tout prévoir, j'ai cassé ton miroir.
As one must be prepared for everything, I broke your mirror.

Tu peux pas non plus te voir.
You can't see yourself either.

Tes larmes font des rigoles et ton rimmel est un limon
Your tears make small rivers and your mascara is like mud.

Qui s'écoule et qui se colle, colle, mais c'est pas beau, c'est pas beau
It flows and sticks, sticks, but it's not pretty, it's not pretty

Ni beau ni bon.
Neither beautiful nor good.

J'ai caché ton mouchoir, attention à ton fard, tu serais pas belle à voir.
I hid your handkerchief, be careful with your makeup, you wouldn't look so beautiful.

Cache aussi ton cafard.
Hide your fear too.

Puisque je m'en vais ce soir.
Since I'm leaving tonight.

Et jusqu'à mon départ, j'ai caché ton mouchoir
And until I leave, I hid your handkerchief.

Tu peux pas pleurer ce soir, tu peux pas pleurer ce soir.
You can't cry tonight, you can't cry tonight.

Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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